20th Anniversary Fireworks Display
Promises Food and Fun Along West Beach

SANTA BARBARA, CA (June 11, 2014)—The City of Santa Barbara will again host the traditional beachside Independence Day fireworks show on Friday, July 4. Beginning at 9pm, the 25-minute pyrotechnic display will be accompanied by offerings from local food vendors, and all of West Beach will be open to the public for the evening’s festivities.

Social Media Updates

Please join the City’s Facebook event for the July 4th Fireworks Show to stay connected and informed, or to invite friends and family to join you at the waterfront!

Transportation

As in past years, the Santa Barbara waterfront will likely be packed with spectators by early afternoon, with further crowds heading for the beach once the 1pm the Spirit of 76 parade along State Street concludes. Parking will certainly be difficult in the downtown area, and traffic in the vicinity will be heavy as pedestrians make their way to and from the waterfront.

Alternate transportation is available to the public to make attending the fireworks more convenient: the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) will run buses and shuttles (visit sbmtd.gov or call (805) 963-3364 for the latest MTD schedule information), while Bici Centro will provide eight bike racks for those wishing to ride their bicycles to the event.

Event Safety

The City of Santa Barbara would like to remind spectators to be safe while they enjoy the festivities; no other fireworks are permitted, and alcohol, glass containers, pit digging, open fires, dogs on the beach, and parking adjacent to the railroad tracks are prohibited. There will be no parking on either side of Cabrillo Boulevard, from State Street to Castillo Street. We look forward to a fun, safe, and sane community gathering.

Other Local Events

The City of Santa Barbara is pleased to provide information regarding two Fourth of July events sponsored by local nonprofits; both of the following events are free to the public:

State Street Parade

The Annual 4th of July Parade, organized by local nonprofit the Spirit of ’76 Association, will begin at 1pm, proceeding down State Street from Micheltorena to Cota Streets. Over 175 nonprofits will participate, with this year’s parade theme focusing on safeguarding our nation’s Bill of Rights. For more information on the parade, please visit spiritof76sb.org.

Free Concert at the Courthouse Sunken Gardens

Another community favorite is the Free Annual July 4th Concert, which starts at 5pm in the County Courthouse Sunken Gardens. This year’s concert will feature a one-hour show performed by the West Coast Symphony Orchestra; the concert is made possible by the support of the Cielo Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Press Contacts

At the City of Santa Barbara
Summers Case, scase@santabarbaraca.gov
Parks and Recreation Department Marketing and Communications

Master Gardeners Set Three Events to Teach Sustainability in Times of Drought

With drought conditions causing many gardeners to re-evaluate their watering practices, UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Barbara County has decided to focus on helping teach locals to manage their water use.

As part of Public Gardens Appreciation Month, the Master Gardeners will be offering tours and workshops with an eye to capturing the imagination of local homeowners and supporting them in their efforts to reduce water use.

“There are ways to manage water and cut your water use significantly without killing your plants," said Lesley Wiscomb, chairman of the Executive Committee for the Master Gardeners, emphasizing that the events planned for Saturdays in May will be fun but also useful for homeowners and gardening enthusiasts. “Navigating our drought is an educational process. That’s the key.”

The Master Gardens, in partnership with the City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department and the Santa Barbara Public Gardens Partnership, will host three events, one on each of the remaining Saturdays in May.

• Saturday, May 17 — Garden Tour of the Masters. Cost: $30/morning or afternoon tour sessions. Click here for tickets.

• Saturday, May 24 — Water in Your Garden: Friend or Foe? UCCE Master Gardeners Workshop with Cathie Pare, city water resources specialist. Cost: free. 10 a.m., with 9:30 a.m. registration at the Louise Lowry Davis Center. Click here for information.

• Saturday, May 31 — Beautiful Garden Designs for Drought. UCCE Master Gardeners Workshop with Billy Goodnick, author and landscape architect. Cost: free. 10 a.m., with 9:30 a.m. registration at the Louise Lowry Davis Center. Click here for information.

The UC Master Gardeners are trained certified volunteers that provide information, workshops, and programs for home gardeners. Public information resources offered by Master Gardeners include plant, pest and problem identification, and advice on sustainable landscape practices.

Link to article on Noozhawk.